Not convinced about that explanation, cassp...

If you think of the switches, great big LED readouts for drawbar settings, and all the associated circuitry to drive it, I doubt a set of REAL drawbars or two would add MUCH extra weight to the Nord's.

No, the REAL improvement is for the preset guys... The LED's always show the correct settings when you change presets (and you can adjust them immediately), whereas drawbars would have to be motorized if they were going to reflect a preset change, or you would have to have a set of LED's AS WELL as drawbars to indicate the preset registration (and you would have a 'jump' as you moved the drawbars off the preset).

For all my love of real drawbars, after some practice I am getting used to the switches...

You know, if they could keep the weight under 45 lb. a C1 with a 73 lower manual and a Stage engine wouldn't be bad, either...